Best defensive 38 spcl (std) defensive ammo

[1 LT MPC]

Buffalo Bore 150gr full wadcutter in my Colt Cobra. Don't worry about expansion--it's already there!

doc540, where did you find those grips?

 

[qcsmitty]

CorBon DPX with Barnes all-copper bullets work well

+1

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

Most fixed-sight .38's are sighted for 158 gr bullets....lighter will tend to shoot low. I carry a handloaded 158gr Speer LSWCHP over 4.7 gr Unique which gives me 815 fps out of a 2" barrel. I feel pretty well protected, and it's not too hot for any of my older .38's--D specials, Police Positive. The standard vel. Buffalo Bore is probably as close as you can come in a factory load.

 

[sixgunner455]

About 12 years ago, I bought two boxes of Speer 125gr Standard Velocity Gold Dots. I have less than half a box left, as they have been my standard defense loads for all that time. I hope that I am able to acquire some more soon.

They shoot very accurately in every gun I have shot them in, and in my Airweight, are still very comfortable to shoot. I mostly shoot it with 125gr handloads that mimic the feel of the Gold Dots.

Since I have not been able to locate new Gold Dots at standard pressure, I am experimenting with hollow point handloads. My steel revolvers are comfortable with +p, but the Airweight isn't (for me), so I am sticking with standard pressure. I can tolerate shooting 158gr semiwadcutters at standard pressure through it, and frequently shoot them in the steel revolvers. Those are my secondary practice loads.

 

[DocRx]

Practice with WW .38spl. Carry CorBon 110gr. .38spl +P. Very accurate and a good "stopper". Take care and be safe.

 

[SFsc616171]

Since hollow points for the .38 Special, as recorded on YouTube, in water, and through test gelatin, fail to work, and become wadcutters, why not spend LESS money, acquire MORE cartridges, and shoot either full 148 grain wadcutter loads, or semiwadcutter - non-plus-p or non-hollow point 158 grain bullets. The solid semiwadcutter bullet hits the mark, goes deep, and does not curve around bone. The recoil is very manageable, for a quick second shot, which is important.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Buffalo Bore 150gr full wadcutter in my Colt Cobra. Don't worry about expansion--it's already there!

doc540, where did you find those grips?

I'm not sure where Doc got his grips but I might have an idea...